Hygiene as Business and Education

Ruby Cup have developed a hygienic and affordable alternative to tampons and pads that lasts for up to 10 years and helps to overcome the challenges of menstruation at schools for girls.

Published by

Apr 20. 2017

Ruby Cup is a safe, high-quality and long-lasting menstrual hygiene product made from 100% medical-grade silicone that can be reused for up to 10 years. It is inserted, emptied when full, and boiled before the next use. Ruby Cup is targeted at women and girls in developing countries through low-cost pricing and direct sales distribution. Ruby Cup is sold through women entrepreneurs in order to generate income, increase peer-to-peer health education in communities, and offer a sustainable solution to menstruation challenges. Additionally, for every Ruby Cup bought in the US, one is donated to a community in East Africa.

Why you should care

Menstruation continues to be a hurdle for female education and work across the world. UNESCO estimate that around 10% of African girls do not attend school while menstruating, averaging four days of absenteeism every month. Ruby Cup tackles this issue by offering a sustainable, reusable and affordable product for women everywhere, while being a source of income to local women entrepreneurs. The company goes one step further by matching sales with donations in East Africa.

HOW THE GLOBAL GOALS ARE ADDRESSED

Good health and well-being

The medical-grade silicone in Ruby Cup is a hygienic way to avoid health problems that can be caused by other lower quality sanitary products.

Quality education

In some areas of the world many girls drop out of school after puberty starts because they lack adequate sanitation materials and fear humiliation. The donation scheme and affordable products from Ruby Cup are helping to address this challenge.

Gender equality

Sanitary pads make it easier for girls to continue attending school and women to not take days off work during menstruation, helping to ensure more equal participation and opportunities for women.

Decent work and economic growth

Ruby Cup offers female entrepreneurs the opportunity to take up for sales and distribution roles of the product, increasing their incomes.

Responsible consumption and production

The Ruby Cup has an estimated lifetime of 10 years, in which time around 12,000 tampons are saved.

GLOBAL GOALS ADDRESSED

The medical-grade silicone in Ruby Cup is a hygienic way to avoid health problems that can be caused by other lower quality sanitary products.

In some areas of the world many girls drop out of school after puberty starts because they lack adequate sanitation materials and fear humiliation. The donation scheme and affordable products from Ruby Cup are helping to address this challenge.

Sanitary pads make it easier for girls to continue attending school and women to not take days off work during menstruation, helping to ensure more equal participation and opportunities for women.

Ruby Cup offers female entrepreneurs the opportunity to take up for sales and distribution roles of the product, increasing their incomes.

The Ruby Cup has an estimated lifetime of 10 years, in which time around 12,000 tampons are saved.